Griggs courier., 1887-12-16
SAVED BY A SOCK.
BY BURT ARNOLD.

rightly be termed married bachelor; Tor,
although he had one of the sweetest and
most patient of wives and beautiful little
daughter, he clung to the habits Of his
single days. and merely used his home for
place in which 10 sleep and eat. He was
not a drunkard; he never drank intoxicants
Of any kind. Yet he always came home in
the small hours Of night, about the same
hour that some tired individuals come to
1oost when "all ze uzzer placish ish closed
up" For many years his wife was ignorant
of the reason why he stayed out so late,
and it was equally as long before she
learned the true reason why he never had
any money, when she knew he earned q
good salary,
The truth was, Jem was confirmed
gambler. and had it not been for his wife's
little dowry, both Jem and his family would
have been obliged to wear rags the year
round. But there is limit to the largest
dowry, and Molly Pinchem's was soon
reached. For months after h II money was
all gone she never complained; but Jem
grew cross as he missed the many comforts
she had formerly furnished from her dot.
Eleepless nights spent over the gaming
table worked on his nerves and made him
changed man. He was annoyed and irri-
tated at the slightest matter and nothing
seemed to please him. He had sunk into
debt, and If any man ever stood in the peril
Of losing his reason Jem Pinchem was the
man. Don't misunderstood and think he
was bad man at heart, for he was far
from it. Naturally he was warm hearted
and Of q sunny disposition; but he had ex-
sion for so long that his peevishness and
irritability were the very common results Of
turning night into day and giving his ner-
-vous system no chance for recuperation.
On the evening before Christmas he had
eaten Of the scanty meal furnished BY his
wife and grumbled over it, possibly be-
cause he felt he had no moral right to
make the slightest objection, and merely
wished to assume the dictatorial with his
spouse. When he had finished. he arose
from the table and glanced at the clock;
then he hurriedly donned his coat and hat
and began to draw on his gloves.
that startled him. "please leave little
"What for?" he savagely questioned.
"Why, it's the night before Christmas.
Jem, and have not single cent with
which to buy Dot the smallest remem-
brance," she answered.
"Dot don't need any gimcracks; she don't
know nuthin' bout Christmas, grunted the
man, as he buttoned his coat we'll around
his threat and pulled his hat over his cars.
30, Jem, do please give me little
money! Just little. am not strong,
Jem, aud may not live to have chance
to give her anything next Christmas" she
pleaded piteously.
aPoor folks like us amt got no right to
spend money for presents"
"But know you won't have cent when
YOU return, Jem, and need the money so
badly, too. Stay at home with me tonight,
Don't 20 out, dear. You'll only gamble
until your wages are gone. and then feel
sorry for it.
aCan't do what like with my own
money!" snapped Jem.
sWhy, yes. Jem. I'LL didn't mean
anything like that-I-why! Don't be
cross, please; I don't feel WE'LL"
And she sank on q chair by the tea table
and sobb.d as though her heart would
break.
Il say, don't cry, Molly; don't take on.
didn't mean to be rough. I amt got nc
small change. See! It's all in a twerty.
dollar bill. I'll go out and buy turkey
and send you some money by the market:
not be gone long myself"
She raised her pale face and looked i'm
ploringly at him through her glsteninl
tears. He returned her glance; then, will
. shrug Of his shoulders, he opened th
door and disappeared in the darkness out
side. AS he passed the window he sa,
her face. It wore the stony, fixed, agon
ized expression of one in despair.
"Women is mans ruination," he NUT
tered; but no one save himself could b
any possibility tell how such an extrava
CANT statement applied In his case.
Molly Pinchem cleared away the tea
table, washed, dried, and put away th
dishes in the closet, then sat by the kitche
stove with little Dot in her arms.
The market.boy came and deposited
much battered chicken on the table-b,
no money.
Eight o'clock, but no Jem with 1t.
Nine o'clock; no Jem yet.
Ten o'clock; still no Jem.
Eleven o'clock, and no Jem.
Half-past eleven. Dot lay dreaming
Molly's arms, while the tears, which cou
not be kept back, coursed down the mott
er's cheeks and her stiaed sebs spasmo,
ss ically raised Dots head, causing her
4 can stand this no longer!" moanedt Il
poor woman. will find him, vherev
he fs.
she,laid the child gently on the sofa q,
kissed Il tenderly. and the hot, soaldi
tears dropped on ito xinsome face.
Quietly she stepped to her chamber Al
donned the most ragged dress she owned.